Lid for containers and methods

ABSTRACT

A plastic lid for a container includes a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the container. A tab extends from the lip. The tab includes a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion. The tab also includes a floor within the tab boundary. There is at least one depression within the floor. The first peripheral edge has an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip. The second peripheral edge is substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip. A plastic storage device includes the plastic container with the plastic lid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure concerns plastic lids used for disposable containers. In particular, this disclosure concerns an improved tab for a plastic lid for a disposable container.

BACKGROUND

Plastic storage devices, such as disposable containers, are known. Such containers will typically have a storage portion and a removable lid. The lid and the container are typically configured to provide a good seal, sometimes a waterproof seal, between the lid and the container. Structure can be built into the lid to help facilitate fastening and removal of the lid from the container. Such structure may include, for example, a tab that projects from an end of the lid.

Improvements in lid designs are desirable.

SUMMARY

A plastic lid for a container is provided. The lid includes a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the container. A tab extends from the lip. The tab includes a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion. The tab also includes a floor within the tab boundary. There is at least one depression within the floor. The first peripheral edge has an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip. The second peripheral edge is substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip.

In another aspect, a plastic storage device is provided including a plastic container having a base and a surrounding wall. The surrounding wall has an end rim. A plastic lid is provided. The plastic lid includes a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the rim of the container. A tab extends from the lip. The tab includes a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion, a floor within the tab boundary, and at least one depression within the floor. The first peripheral edge has an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip. The second peripheral edge is substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a lid constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage device including the lid of FIG. 1 and a container;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 4, the cross-section being taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of section 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the lid of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a top plane view of another embodiment of a lid constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Some Problems with Existing Arrangements

Existing lids for storage containers utilize either a flat tab or a three-dimensional tab. Flat tabs are useful because they can accommodate almost all forms of automated equipment that will be handling the lids. Three-dimensional tabs are easier to grip by a user, and they feel stronger. Three-dimensional tabs, however, can only be utilized with certain types of automated equipment.

What is needed is a tab that includes the advantages of both, without the drawbacks. Therefore, what is needed is a tab that can accommodate most forms of automation, as well as being easy to grip and of strength.

B. The Embodiment of FIGS. 1-8

FIG. 1 depicts a plastic lid 10 having a tab 12, constructed in accordance with this disclosure. The lid 10 can be used as part of a plastic storage device 14 (FIG. 2). The plastic storage device 14 includes the lid 10 releasably attached to a container 16.

In this embodiment, the lid 10 includes a body 18. The body 18 includes a generally planar portion 20 surrounded by an outer periphery 22. The outer periphery 22 has a lip 24 that is constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the container 16.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, in this pictured embodiment, the lid 10 has a generally rectangular outer periphery 22 including a first pair of parallel sides 26, 27 and a second pair of parallel sides 28, 29. In this embodiment, in between sides 26 and 28, sides 28 and 27, and sides 27 and 29 are rounded corners 30, 31, and 32, respectively. In between sides 26 and 29 is the tab 12, which extends from the lip 24, and is located at a corner of the lid 10.

In this embodiment, the sides 26, 27 are longer than the sides 28, 29, to form a rectangular structure. Of course, in other embodiments, the lid 10 could be square with rounded corners, or it could be other shapes without corners (“cornerless”) such as round or oval. (See FIG. 8 for an embodiment of a round lid 10, which carries the same reference numerals for like parts, including tab 12 projecting from round body 18.) The container 16 (FIG. 2) is shaped generally the same as the lid 10, except there is no tab shape on the container 16. In this embodiment, the container 16 has at least one corner 17, and in the specific embodiment depicted, is rectangular with 4 corners. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the container (not shown) will have a mouth that is round in shape.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the lip 24 is raised and generally projecting above the central planar portion 20 of the lid 10. The lip 24 is constructed and arranged to form a seal with a rim or mouth 34 (FIG. 2) of the container 16. In FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the lip 24 is shown as having a radially inwardly protruding section 36 and a generally straight wall 38 forming the outermost surface. In between the straight wall 38 and the inwardly protruding section 36 is a connecting section 40. In this embodiment, the connecting section 40 includes at least 3 segments including an uppermost portion 42, and outer segment 44 between the straight wall 38 and the upper most portion 42, and an inner segment 46 between the uppermost portion 42 and the inward protruding section 36. The inwardly protruding section of the lip 24 forms an inner leg 52 (FIG. 5). The inner leg 52 has an inwardly extending knee 54 that protrudes inwardly from a remaining portion of the inner leg 52. The straight wall 38 forms an outer leg 56, and the connecting section 40 forms a bight section 58 therebetween. In preferred embodiments, the outer leg 56 is spaced from the inner leg 52, in particular the knee 54, by at least 0.30 inch therebetween. In some embodiments, the spacing between the outer leg 56 and inner leg 52 will be between 0.40 and 0.50 inch, for example between 0.41 and 0.45 inch.

In this embodiment, the lid 10 further includes an indented section 48 adjacent to the central planar portion 20. The indented section 48 is recessed relative to the planar portion 20. Adjacent to the indented section 48 is an outer section 50. The outer section 50 is between the indented section 48 and the lip 24. The configuration of the outer section 50, indented section 48, and planar portion 20 is for providing strength to the lid 10, in addition to creating an ornamental and attractive appearance.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, in the embodiment shown, the outer leg 56 includes a generally horizontal flange 60 extending therefrom. In this embodiment, the flange 60 is generally parallel to the planes forming the planar portion 20, the indented section 48, and the outer section 50. It is shown as generally perpendicular from the outer leg 56.

In reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, one embodiment of tab 12 constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure is depicted. In this embodiment, the tab 12 includes a tab boundary 62. The tab boundary 62 extends from the lip 24, and in particular, from the outer leg 56 of the lip 24. In this embodiment, the tab boundary 62 includes a first peripheral edge 64 and a second peripheral edge 66 joined at a radiused section or portion 68 therebetween. In this embodiment, the first peripheral edge 64 extends from the lip 24 along the side 26, while the second peripheral edge 66 extends from the lip 24 along the side 29. The first and second peripheral edges 64, 66 then intersect with each other along radiused portion 68.

In general, the first and second peripheral edges 64, 66 are constructed and arranged to provide tab 12 such that it can accommodate almost all forms of automation and so that it is strong and easy to grip. In the embodiment shown, these functions are accomplished by having the first peripheral edge 64 being formed with an incline 70 increasing from the radiused portion 68 to the lip 24. The second peripheral edge 66 is substantially flat from the radiused portion 68 to the lip 24. In general, the substantially flat second peripheral edge 66 allows the tab 12 to be handled by most automation. The ramped incline of the first peripheral edge 64 provides three-dimensional depth to the tab 12, which adds strength and better handling ability to the tab 12, than if it were just a flat edge.

The incline of the first peripheral edge 64 should be sufficient enough to introduce a three-dimensional depth to allow for strength and better handling. In general, the first peripheral edge 64 will be angled at least 3.9 degrees from the radiused portion 68 in a direction toward the lip 24. The first peripheral edge 64 should be angled no more than about 7.8 degrees, or else other manufacturing difficulties are introduced. In general, a suitable range for the angle of the first peripheral edge is about 6.0 to 7.8 degrees, and in the embodiment shown, is about 7.8 degrees. The radiused portion 68 will be on a radius appropriate for the selected size of the lid 10, and in the embodiment shown, is about 0.290-0.350 inch.

Still in reference to FIG. 6, a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion 68 is shown at 70. A thickness of the second peripheral edge 66, which is uniform from the radiused portion 68 to the lip 24 is shown at 72. In the embodiment shown, the thickness 70 of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion 68 is at least twice the thickness 72 of the second peripheral edge 66 adjacent to the radiused portion 68. Useful dimensions include the thickness 70 of the first peripheral edge 64 adjacent to the radiused portion 68 is at least 0.2 inch thick, for example about 0.24-0.26 inch thick. The thickness 72 of the second peripheral edge 66 is at least 0.1 inch thick, for example 0.11-0.12 inch thick.

Still in reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the tab 12, in the embodiment shown, includes a floor 74 within the tab boundary 62. The floor 74 defines at least one depression 76 therewithin. In the embodiment shown, there are at least two depressions 76, 78 within the floor 74. The depressions 76, 78 form recesses or indents extending away from the floor 74. In the embodiment shown, the depression 76 is adjacent to the second peripheral edge 66, while the depression 78 is adjacent to the first peripheral edge 64.

The tab 12 can be wider at the point which it connects with the remaining part of the lid 10. This does not change the size of the radiused portion 68, but could change the angle of the first edge 64. In many embodiments, each tab 10 is designed to fit the overall size of the container, using the same “family design.”

The above represents examples of principles of this disclosure. Many embodiments can be made utilizing these principles. 

1. A plastic lid for a container; the lid comprising: (a) a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the container; and (b) a tab extending from the lip; the tab including: (i) a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion; (ii) a floor within the tab boundary; (iii) at least one depression within the floor; (A) the first peripheral edge having an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip; and (B) the second peripheral edge being substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip.
 2. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the tab includes at least two depressions within the floor.
 3. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled at least 3.9 degrees.
 4. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled no more than about 7.8 degrees.
 5. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion.
 6. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least 0.2 inch; and (b) a thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least 0.1 inch.
 7. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the body has at least one corner; and (b) the tab is extending from the at least one corner.
 8. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the body is rectangular having four corners; and (b) the tab is extending from one of the corners.
 9. A plastic lid according to claim 8 wherein: (a) the tab includes at least two depressions within the floor; (b) the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled 6.0-7.8 degrees; and (c) a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion.
 10. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the radiused portion is on a radius of about 0.290-0.350 inches.
 11. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the lip includes an outer leg, an inner leg, and a bight section therebetween; (i) the outer leg and inner leg being spaced at least 0.30 inch therebetween.
 12. A plastic lid according to claim 11 wherein the outer leg includes a flange extending therefrom.
 13. A plastic storage device comprising: (a) a plastic container having a base and a surrounding wall; the surrounding wall having an end rim; and (b) a plastic lid including: (i) a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the rim of the container; and (ii) a tab extending from the lip; the tab including: (A) a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion; (B) a floor within the tab boundary; (C) at least one depression within the floor; (1) the first peripheral edge having an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip; and (2) the second peripheral edge being substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip.
 14. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the tab includes at least two depressions within the floor.
 15. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled 6.0-7.8 degrees.
 16. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion.
 17. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the plastic container has at least one corner; (b) the body has at least one corner; and (c) the tab is extending from the at least one corner.
 18. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the body is round without corners; and (b) the tab is extending from the round body. 